World Economic Forum Selects Labcyte as 2015 Technology Pioneer

Labcyte Inc., the company revolutionizing life science research with the Echo® acoustic liquid handler, was recognized by the World Economic Forum for demonstrating the ability to inspire and leverage creativity to develop transformative solutions. The recognition is based on Labcyte’s innovative use of sound energy to transfer liquids. Their technology has enabled scientists to discover new therapeutics, improve diagnostics and better prescribe targeted, patient-specific treatments.

Each year since 2000, the World Economic Forum has chosen a select number of Technology Pioneers from hundreds of applicants. Candidate companies are nominated by members, constituents and collaborators of the World Economic Forum and by the public. The 82-member selection committee – composed of distinguished technology and innovation experts, academics and venture capitalists – reviews each application before making its recommendation to the World Economic Forum.

“Acoustic liquid handling is a major leap forward from traditional liquid handling systems,” said Mark Fischer-Colbrie, president and CEO of Labcyte Inc. “The ability to transfer liquids containing drugs, cells, DNA, assay reagents and other materials with great precision and accuracy – in increments as low as a billionth of a liter – can be used in hundreds of applications across all areas of life science research. Use of acoustic energy to avoid all of the deficiencies of pipetting has already resulted in discoveries of new drug-candidates, lower costs of molecular diagnostics and better selection of therapeutics for targeted patient treatment. The Echo liquid handler is used today by the world’s top pharmaceutical firms, academic institutions, genome centers, contract research organizations and diagnostic providers. It is the future of life science.”

“The impact of technology continues to accelerate in all domains of society,” said Fulvia Montresor, Director, Head of Technology Pioneers at the World Economic Forum. “To better understand the breadth and depth of this impact, CEOs and other leaders have come to depend on their interactions with the Technology Pioneers and their diverse and innovative solutions.”